The issue of compromise is one that greatly affects Christians. Since we are obviously in the last days, itís important that we explore the extent to which the issue of compromise is a problem and that we seek to eliminate its power within the church in advance of the increasing temptations for it that will be created by the acceleration of governmental control as we approach the Tribulation Period.

Obviously, the issue of compromise is not new and the temptation for indulging in it has long been an issue for Christians. In fact, Jesus, Himself, was faced with the issue when being tempted by the devil after having fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. The Scripture in Luke 4:1-13 reveals His temptation for compromise as well as His response to the temptation:

1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.

3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."

4 But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "

5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours."

8 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "

9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.

10 For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over You, To keep You,' 11 "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.' "

13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. NKJV

Jesusí response to the temptation to compromise His commitment to the truth was to emphatically declare to the devil exactly what was contained in Godís Word. He made no attempt to consider the devilís points or negotiate against them. He didnít discuss the convenience of accepting his offers. He only firmly declared the truth, leaving the devil to accept or reject it. He had no need to engage him any further or to gain any further respect or considerations from him. In other words, He didnít care what the devil thought about Him or whether he would like or dislike Him after being rejected.

Thereís an important lesson for Christians in this encounter. One of the reasons that many Christians fall into compromise is that there is a tendency for them to consider the extent to which others will view them unfavorably unless they give in to their expectations, requests or demands. In doing so, they place the importance of acceptance by others above their relationship with Christ and their adherence to Godís Word. But God expects us to place our relationships with Him above the relationships we have with others. This means that our decisions should be aimed at maintaining our close relationships with Him no matter what others might think about us.

This is not always easy for Christians who are living in an environment of selfish disregard for the constraints of Godís Word. All around us there are reminders that the world expects us to conform to their normal way of life, which includes the worship of human idols, the selfish pursuit of fame and riches, the belief that ďit isnít wrong if you can get away with it,Ē and all the other beliefs and forces against the principles of Godís Word. Nevertheless, God expects something entirely different for us. He expects that His Word must not be compromised by the worldís system insofar as Christians are concerned. He expects us to be the ďSalt of the EarthĒ that will stand strong against the worldís system.

Of course this pertains also to our positions regarding political matters. Whereas in the past it was not as much an issue that we be diligent about carefully considering our political choices, this is no longer something we can ignore or disregard. There is such clarity in Godís Word regarding many issues that are rapidly being forced upon us. Itís important that Christians should carefully consider the extent to which going along with their political party is a direct affront to Godís position on these issues. It should be clear to those who respect and base their form of Christianity on Godís Word that to ignore it in order to accommodate their political beliefs is nothing other than compromise, which is in no way pleasing to God.

To further compound this issue, in order for many Christian leaders to maintain their political party affiliations they close their eyes to the contradictions between what they teach, what they ignore, their other actions and decisions, and Godís Word. Then, many of their followers, having no personal compass of their own, blindly follow their leaders instead of adhering to what is contained in Godís Word. Even in the church there are thinkers and there are blind followers. But God is not pleased with those who follow those who have departed from the truth.

In accepting the teaching of todayís leaders, Christians need to be careful about what they feed into their minds and spirits. No teaching should be allowed to overshadow or contradict what is written in Godís Word.

And to quote one person, ďThose who are standing outside the truth will eventually be swept away.Ē

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